2004 Football

Blufffton University 24, Anderson University 17

The Bluffton University football team (4-2, 2-0 HCAC) defeated Anderson University
24-17 on Saturday afternoon. The two Heartland Conference victories are the most by
the Beavers since the 2001 season when they went 4-2 in the conference to finish in
third place.

Bluffton started the game off with a bang when quarterback Tim Koontz (Goshen, Ind./Concord) threw a 57-yard pass to Leon Payne (Springfield/Springfield South) on just the third play of the game. The Beavers would
then capitalize on their next possession of the ball as tailback Ben Dodds (West Liberty/Bellefontaine) took the ball into the end zone off a 5-yard run. Bluffton
then scored off of their third possession late in the first quarter when kicker Seth Burkholder (Pandora/Bluffton) booted in the 39-yard field goal to widen the Beavers lead to
17-0.

The Ravens would kick a field goal early in the second quarter to get on the board,
but Bluffton would take the 17-3 lead into the locker room at halftime. Anderson would
capitalize on big plays in the third and fourth quarters as they would score two unanswered
touchdowns to tie the game 17-17, early in the fourth. The Beavers would not give
up as fullback Ben McCullough (Bluffton/Bluffton) took the ball into the end zone off a 13-yard run for the final
of 24-17.

"I couldn't be happier today with the team," head coach Greg Brooks said. "Our defense
played all day and they never gave up. It was a great win."

Quarterback Tim Koontz completed three passes for 75 yards and one touchdown for the
game. Ben Dodds led the Beaver rushers with 32 carries for 102 yards and a lone touchdown.
Leading the receivers was Leon Payne with two catches for 63 yards and one touchdown.
Senior Matt Chiles (Sidney/Sidney) led the defensive effort with 11 solo tackles, three forced fumbles
and one pass deflection. Sophomore Jeremy Anderson (South Richwood/Airport) posted 10 tackles (8 solo, 2 assisted), picked up one fumble
and had one pass deflection.

Anderson committed five turnovers in the game to Bluffton's one which was a key in
the momentum of the contest. The Beavers posted 12 first downs to Anderson's 22. Anderson
led on the yardage game with 457 total yards (16 rushing, 441 passing) to Bluffton's
260 total yards (185 rushing, 75 passing). Anderson committed seven penalties for
59 yards with Bluffton posting one penalty for three yards.

The Beavers will be back at home next Saturday to face HCAC opponent Hanover College.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.